Flavio Briatore Outlines Alpine’s Formula 1 Revival Plans

Flavio Briatore, the man now at the helm of Alpine's Formula 1 team, has laid out ambitious plans to turn the struggling French outfit into serious contenders. In an interview with Le Monde, Briatore pledged that Alpine would win races in 2026 and battle for the F1 championship by 2027 — a bold statement for a team currently languishing in ninth place in the constructors’ standings with only six points to its name this season.

Briatore Takes Charge of Alpine's Future

Briatore stepped into a leadership role earlier this year, taking charge after the sudden resignation of former team boss Oliver Oakes in May. Although Alpine carried much promise following Renault’s return as a formal constructor, they’ve struggled to make an impact in F1’s competitive midfield, aside from one celebrated victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon. The team has since lost momentum under the current regulations.

“We owe it to Renault, to Alpine … we’re in this sport to win, and with the new regulations coming in 2026, the teams that interpret them best will have the edge,” Briatore said. “In 2026, we can win races, I guarantee it, and in 2027, we want to be title contenders.”

Switch to Mercedes Engines

One of Briatore’s major moves has been a decisive shift in Alpine’s engine program. Having overseen the controversial decision to end the in-house production of Formula 1 engines at Renault’s Viry factory in France, Alpine announced it would run Mercedes customer engines starting in 2024. The team believes the switch will provide a significant boost in performance ahead of F1’s sweeping aerodynamic and powertrain regulation changes in 2026.

“Choosing to switch to Mercedes power was a very difficult decision,” Briatore admitted. “But in this sport, to win, you need to have the same tools as the others. For a million reasons rooted in the past, we were at a disadvantage in that area.”

The move aligns Alpine with a proven championship-winning engine supplier, giving Briatore confidence in the team’s ability to capitalize on the impending rule changes. Mercedes, known for its track record and extensive resources, is reportedly optimistic about its 2026 engine project, which could shake up the competitive landscape.

Alpine’s Challenges in a Competitive Environment

While Briatore’s ambitions are clear, Alpine faces an uphill battle. Once seen as capable of challenging the frontrunners, the team has failed to match rivals such as McLaren, Aston Martin, and Ferrari in recent seasons. Briatore acknowledged that Alpine cannot simply sign a generational star like Max Verstappen to fast-track success.

“The easiest way to win is to sign Max Verstappen, but we can't. So we have to work with what we’ve got.”

For now, Alpine must focus on improving the execution of its revised strategy and delivering a competitive package before the clock runs out. With the 2026 regulations reshaping the sport, Briatore views this as an opportunity to reset the competitive order — and Alpine intends to be firmly in the mix.

The High Hopes for Alpine's Future

The big question remains: can Briatore’s leadership and long-game strategy bring Alpine out of its slump and deliver the sustained success Renault envisioned when it revived the team? One thing is certain — his bold predictions have already heightened expectations for the future.

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